Employers offer loan repayment, ‘re-recruiting’ to attract skilled labor

The data center boom is forcing contractors and other employers to rethink how they attract and retain sought-after workers like electricians and plumbers.

By Lisa Burden • Aug. 28, 2026

DOL, other agencies address questions about wellness program surcharges

Aspects of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act that were once seen as “settled” continue to be challenged, an attorney told HR Dive.

By Caroline Colvin • Aug. 27, 2026

Explore the Trendline➔

Inside the rapidly changing world of employee benefits

Healthcare costs are climbing and employee needs are changing. How can HR professionals adapt?

By HR Dive staff

Employers at an ‘inflection point’ as health costs near double-digit increases

But many won’t be able to take drastic cost-cutting measures until 2028 at the earliest, the Business Group on Health’s president and CEO said.

By Ryan Golden • Aug. 27, 2026

Healthcare costs could rise by nearly 10% in 2027

Employers cover more than 80% of the burden, but employees will also be hit by rising costs, an Aon report found.

By Lara Ewen • Aug. 25, 2026

Feds propose ‘Trump Account’ regulations as older workers’ retirement hopes dwindle

Trump Accounts will help eligible children “enjoy years of compound earnings for their future college, retirement and other needs,” an IRS leader said.

By Caroline Colvin • Aug. 20, 2026

More than a third of workers say their retirement age has moved later

Employees’ reasons for delaying retirement included the cost of living, not earning enough and a lack of savings.

By Ginger Christ • Aug. 20, 2026

Premiums, out-of-pocket costs dominate Americans’ healthcare concerns, survey shows

Respondents were split on who should solve the issues, with Democrats more likely to say the federal government and Republicans more likely to name insurers, according to a survey from the Commonwealth Fund.

By Sy Mukherjee • Aug. 17, 2026

Bank of America won’t let employees work remotely 2 days in a row

The ban on taking two consecutive remote days includes Friday to Monday and takes effect in mid-September, according to a policy update workers received earlier this month.

By Gabrielle Saulsbery • Aug. 17, 2026

1 in 5 Gen Xers don’t think they’ll ever retire, study suggests

Rising costs and inflation have derailed the retirement plans of many workers, according to a Zety report.

By Caroline Colvin • Aug. 17, 2026

Brookings researchers slam assumptions in work requirements rule

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services are being accused of fudging the data at the center of a rule that makes it harder for Medicaid enrollees to prove they’re exempt from work requirements.

By Rebecca Pifer Parduhn • Aug. 13, 2026

Most employers say rising healthcare costs force salary tradeoffs

Employers cited high drug prices, high-cost claims and hospital prices as their biggest threats to affordability.

By Ginger Christ • Aug. 13, 2026

Employees don’t need more benefits. They need fewer front doors.

The next employee benefits challenge isn't offering more benefits. It's reducing complexity.

By Kyle Weber, Chief Strategy & Transformation Officer, Elevance Health • Aug. 10, 2026

KFF: Insurers want to hike small businesses’ premiums by 14% next year

It’s becoming harder for small employers to offer insurance coverage, and another year of double-digit premium increases won’t help. Insurers say their hands are tied.

By Rebecca Pifer Parduhn • Aug. 7, 2026

Employers need to have conversations about menopause, experts say

“First and foremost, we have to have a culture that fosters safety so that people feel safe to ask for the support that they need,” said Patty Borst from consultancy The Partners Group. 

By Ginger Christ • Aug. 6, 2026

Wage compression — not job cuts — may be the outcome of AI adoption at work

Employers may have to square cost savings with a workforce that is less financially secure.

By Kate Tornone • Aug. 6, 2026

Payscale: Merit increases remain popular as ‘peanut butter’ raises trend downward

In the U.S., 30% of employers said they expect salary budgets to be higher year over year in 2027, up substantially from 16% reported last year.

By Lara Ewen • Aug. 6, 2026

Workers are all in fight-or-flight mode, expert says

Employers can improve mental health in the workplace by tuning into how workers are doing and being intentional, according to a consultant on health and productivity. 

By Ginger Christ • Aug. 5, 2026

Class ceiling: What cultural background has to do with salary negotiation

A new study shows that social background factors into workers’ ability to negotiate — or not — and how HR professionals judge them.

By Caroline Colvin • Aug. 4, 2026

ICHRA adoption slowed by ACA exchange costs, instability

Many employers are considering the coverage arrangements, but worries about the ACA marketplaces — including potentially high costs for workers — are making them hesitant to move forward, according to a survey.

By Emily Olsen • July 30, 2026

Nearly half of workers say they’d let AI negotiate their pay

One-third of U.S. adults have already asked artificial intelligence about their salary, a raise, a bonus or how to negotiate, a recent report showed.

By Ginger Christ • July 30, 2026

Gap Inc. opens creator program to employees

Corporate, distribution and store staff can now apply to be influencers for the retailer’s brand portfolio, almost a year after the program’s launch.

By Tatiana Walk-Morris • July 27, 2026

Companies aim for more ‘strategic’ pay increases: WTW report

With salary budgets projected to increase 3.4% in 2027, employers are moving away from broad-based pay increases in favor of more targeted increases and spot awards.

By Danielle McLean • July 24, 2026

Employers may underestimate workers’ financial concerns

More than half of employees feel positive about their finances and careers, but three-quarters said the cost of living challenged their sense of security, per a Bank of America report.

By Lara Ewen • July 24, 2026

More than half of workers say they’ve considered accepting a lower offer after a layoff

Glassdoor findings show a potential worsening of the gender pay gap through layoffs.

By Ginger Christ • July 23, 2026

Labor Department proposes rule expanding disclosure e-delivery for employer plans

The rule pitched Wednesday would make it easier for group health plans regulated by ERISA to share mandatory notices with their members. A DOL official called the proposal a “big step forward.”

By Rebecca Pifer Parduhn • July 23, 2026